COVID-19 is a long-lasting and complex disaster situation involving a public health emergency and an economic crisis, with particularly acute impacts for older adults, people with disabilities, and others with certain health conditions. In response, the federal government and state and local agencies have sought to address basic needs, provide access to certain benefits, and modify service delivery for vulnerable populations. Due to changes in federal regulation and law, states are responding with changes in policies and procedures to ensure individuals have access to public benefit programs, such as the Medicare low-income subsidies, SNAP, and LIHEAP. Presenters described examples of opportunities and adjustments that states have made to connect older adults and persons with disabilities to critical benefit programs during the pandemic. Data from an ADvancing States COVID-19 membership survey will be shared. Additionally, Massachusetts’ SHINE program described how they are operating and responding during the pandemic to continue to connect consumers to benefits such as Medicare and the Medicare low-income subsidies.